Yellow Fin Mojarra
Gerres cinereus
Is a mojarra fish that can reach 41 cm in length.
Silvery with about seven faint pinkish bars on side on body; pelvic fins yellow.
Lower profile of head distinctively concave; the mouth is highly extensible, pointing downward when protruded; lower border of preopercle smooth; bone under front of eye with smooth border; teeth inside throat all pointed; dorsal rays IX, 10, elevated at front, 2nd spine shorter than distance between tip of snout and rear of eye; anal fin II, 7, 2nd spine longer than depth of tail base; pectoral fin long (usually passes anal fin origin) pointed; tail fin deeply forked; scales large, conspicuous and finely rough, covering most of head and body; scales on forehead do not extend in front of eye; dorsal and anal fins fold into a high scaly sheath along their bases; lateral-line scales 39- 44.
Silvery white with about 8 faint dark bars on side; pelvic and anal fins yellowish.
Inhabits shallow coastal waters in open sandy and surf areas, seagrass beds, near reefs, and mangrove channels. Enters brackish water, sometimes even fresh water. May occur in small aggregations. Feeds on benthic invertebrates such as worms, clams, crustaceans; also feeds on insects. Often seen feeding in sand patches among reefs by thrusting its mouth into the sediment and expelling sand from the gill openings. Easily approached. Marketed fresh but not highly esteemed; also processed into fishmeal.
Silvery with about seven faint pinkish bars on side on body; pelvic fins yellow.
Lower profile of head distinctively concave; the mouth is highly extensible, pointing downward when protruded; lower border of preopercle smooth; bone under front of eye with smooth border; teeth inside throat all pointed; dorsal rays IX, 10, elevated at front, 2nd spine shorter than distance between tip of snout and rear of eye; anal fin II, 7, 2nd spine longer than depth of tail base; pectoral fin long (usually passes anal fin origin) pointed; tail fin deeply forked; scales large, conspicuous and finely rough, covering most of head and body; scales on forehead do not extend in front of eye; dorsal and anal fins fold into a high scaly sheath along their bases; lateral-line scales 39- 44.
Silvery white with about 8 faint dark bars on side; pelvic and anal fins yellowish.
Inhabits shallow coastal waters in open sandy and surf areas, seagrass beds, near reefs, and mangrove channels. Enters brackish water, sometimes even fresh water. May occur in small aggregations. Feeds on benthic invertebrates such as worms, clams, crustaceans; also feeds on insects. Often seen feeding in sand patches among reefs by thrusting its mouth into the sediment and expelling sand from the gill openings. Easily approached. Marketed fresh but not highly esteemed; also processed into fishmeal.